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FASHION: 2012 Autumn/Winter Men's Buyer Feature - The Latest 'Must-Buy' Guide

FASHION / FEATURES

February 5, 2015

FASHION: 2012 Autumn/Winter Men's Buyer Feature - The Latest 'Must-Buy' Guide

DRESS UP, NEW SEASON 2012-13

What to Wear Now, According to Stylish Insiders

When discussing fashion and styling, it's often said that 'sense is something to be cultivated.' However, when it comes to clothing, the quickest path is not through intellectual thought but by trying things on without hesitation. Beyond whether something suits you or not, 'how much you've experienced and how many outfits you've tried' is crucial. As the season for layering arrives, renowned buyers and store managers share their top picks for this autumn and winter's essential brands and items.

Text by KAJII Makoto (OPENERS)Photographs by HARA Emiko

From Classic to Luxury Brands and Domestic Labels, Our Top Picks Are Here!

Barneys New York | Buyer Feature

Barneys New York
Men's Merchandising Manager, Tomokazu Takeuchi

Barneys New York has released "WOMEN'S AND MEN'S PERFECT JEWELRY," a catalog featuring new items that propose the latest jewelry coordination. As we approach Christmas week, Men's Merchandising Manager Tomokazu Takeuchi selects his "Honest Wish List" – special gifts for 2012.

United Arrows | Buyer Feature

United Arrows
Buyer, Motofumi "Poggy" Kogi

United Arrows is holding its autumn/winter campaign "UNITED ARROWS Changing the World" nationwide, with the theme of "proposing stylish items and sharing the joy of dressing up." Featured in the OPENERS buyer special is Motofumi "Poggy" Kogi, buyer and Director of United Arrows & Sons, who was described by Tyler Brûlé, editor-in-chief of *MONOCLE*, as "UA's ambassador." What are Kogi's recommendations for autumn and winter? He deeply loves styles ranging from classic to street, expressing his unique character through his personal styling.

Restir | Buyer Feature

Restir
Men's Section Manager, Katsumasa Masuda

"This season, I've chosen sophisticated leather," says Katsumasa Masuda, Men's Section Manager at Restir. While last autumn and winter focused on browns and fur, this season is all about Restir's specialty: black. "Customers who previously wore washed leather with a used feel or distressed denim are now preferring clean, elegant leather. High-quality black materials are selling very well." Pay attention to Restir's recommendations, which Masuda selected without hesitation at the trade shows.

Stile Latino | Buyer Feature

Stile Latino
Stile Latino Aoyama Store Manager, Norinori Okada

The Stile Latino Aoyama store, which underwent an interior layout change in September, offers a refreshingly spacious and open atmosphere. Store Manager Norinori Okada explains, "Classic manufacturers like Sartorio and Barba are increasingly focusing on casual wear, leveraging their accumulated expertise. Consequently, fashion in the middle ground between dress and casual is performing exceptionally well with a strong sense of reality. We've also changed the store layout to encourage customers to enjoy a mix of styles, rather than strictly separating dress and casual."

Estnation | Buyer Feature

Estnation
Merchandise Department, Men's II Division Buyer, Joji Kobayashi

"Estnation means 'East Nation' – from the East. Celebrating our 10th anniversary, we want to return to our roots and showcase the appeal of 'designer brands that Japan proudly offers to the world,' which are currently very vibrant."—In addition to our unique selection up to this point, we are now handling domestic brands that have garnered global acclaim, such as "kolor," "sacai," and "White Mountaineering," for the first time.